Mayoral Candidate

VIV NAPIER’s GOALS
The huge advantage of 12 years Council experience enables me to hit the ground running, familiar with both the issues and equally importantly the nuances. So unlike the other candidates, I don’t have to set an immediate goal simply to become acquainted with the issues and the people.

Local Government is not like Parliament, so my goals are pitched at a local level and benefit voters by being realistic and attainable.
Amalgamation

My prime goal is to achieve amalgamation with benefits for South Wairarapa ratepayers optimised. That means in simple terms current services maintained, some enhanced, new opportunities realised and overall costs reduced.

Rates
To promise to keep rates to the current rate of inflation is a nonsense. Rural councils costs have no relationship with CPI (e.g. construction costs escalating 4% p.a. are a substantial component). But my goal is to run a tight ship with no excessive spending, seek economies but maintain service levels e.g. I will maintain the programme to seal rural roads.
SWDC punches above its weight. But by continuing and enhancing our best practice approach, we’ll achieve containment of cost and excess.
So rate increases will be modest and predictable.

Tourism and economic development
I’ll commit the Council to playing its full part. My goal is to derive maximum benefit for the Wairarapa from the Rimutaka Cycle Trail  and future cycle trail development.
In terms of economic development, my goal is to have no business saying it is unduly restrained from growing because of any unnecessary intrusion by the Council.
We now have the ability to open our shops and cafes on Easter Sunday, a boost for the three towns, who receive large influxes of visitors at Easter.

Unity and diversity
We have three unique towns surrounded by rural areas. All have different aspirations and needs. I’ll use my experience and inter-relationship skills to bring the communities together, whilst encouraging their diversities. And work constructively with other Councils in areas where our interests merge.

This is not the time for expansive promises. Goals need to be finely tuned to your needs.
Twelve years service has taught me heaps about processes and people and how to deal with them successfully. As Mayor I’ll use every ounce of that experience to ensure you are all as proud of your district and the role your Council plays as I am.
Authorised by Viv Napier, 13 Homestead Lane, Greytown